Anna Duggar finds herself in a difficult spot now that her husband, Josh Duggar, is a federally convicted sex offender.
The 33-year-old mother of seven was in the courtroom when Josh was found guilty of possessing and receiving child sex abuse materials. In his sentencing, which could take months, he faces up to 40 years in prison.
As a result, Anna finds herself a rare single mother in a world where that isn't done or condoned. It leaves her with a responsibility to her children to bring them up on her own, which she is currently doing with the help of her husband's family. Josh's parents and Anna have both contended they believe he is not guilty of the charges.
Those seven children are now looked at through a different lens with their father's conviction. There's been an open fear that they could have been victimized, though Anna reportedly declined to have them examined or interviewed by Child Protective Services (CPS). With Josh's conviction, however, she may have no choice.
Josh Duggar was reportedly "teary-eyed" after hearing he was found guilty of possessing and receiving child sexual abuse materials. He faces up to 40 years in jail, with sentencing weeks to months away. All eyes were on his wife, Anna Duggar, for a reaction, but she remained stoic as she was hugged by father-in-law Jim Bob Duggar.
Thus far, Anna's reactions seem to be both out of touch with reality and what is expected of someone brought up in a religious setting of subservience to men.
"Jim Bob said she blames him and wife Michelle for Josh's arrest," a source close to the family told The Sun.
"Anna feels it all stems from how they dealt with his previous molestation scandal after he assaulted his sisters. She also thinks that this case is a conspiracy theory against her husband set up by the Biden administration. She believes that if Donald Trump was still in power this would not be happening, and refuses to believe he's done anything wrong."
As the trial unfolded publicly, Michelle Duggar reportedly stayed home with her brood of eight children, as well as Josh and Anna's seven, the youngest of which is just 1 month old. Child Protective Services reportedly previously reached out to the family to ask about examining and interviewing Josh and Anna's kids. Anna reportedly turned them away.
Attorney Rebecca Rouse spoke with YouTuber Katie Joy of Without a Crystal Ball about if there could be more ahead for the family, including an examination or interview of some, if not all, of Josh and Anna's kids.
"If convicted, Josh could face other charges & his children will likely be ordered by the court to receive cognitive & forensic exams," she said, per TV Shows Ace.
"Anna & Josh declined these exams. If convicted, the court can then order these exams. Due to Anna declining the exam, she will be denied access to the exams. She also could face charges if the exams reveal Josh harmed his children."
Sources are also indicating that Josh and Anna's older kids have an inkling of what's going on. The children are 12-year-old Mackynzie, 10-year-old Michael, 8-year-old Marcus, 6-year-old Meredith, 4-year-old Mason, 2-year-old Maryella, and 1-month-old Madyson.
"Anna has seven children with Josh, the older ones know that [he] did a terrible thing and is being punished for it," a source told In Touch Weekly.
In the immediate aftermath, the children will likely be distracted. They are surrounded by family in their young aunts and uncles. The youngest of Jim Bob and Michelle's children, Josie Duggar, celebrates her 12th birthday on December 10, making her the same age as Josh and Anna's eldest, Mackynzie. With the holidays approaching, it's also a time of being surrounded by family.
Many have noted that Anna's family, the Kellers, have had an increased presence in her life since Josh's charges were publicly announced. Sources believe she could eventually lean on them and distance herself from the Duggars.
Famously, Anna's older brother, Daniel Keller, publicly bashed Josh on Facebook in 2015 after his Ashley Madison scandal was publicized. When commenters swarmed, some defending Josh, he had no problem saying his piece.
"Tell me how you would feel if someone cheated on your sister and brought so much disgrace to you and ur family," he clapped back at one commenter, per People.
When someone gave Josh credit for confessing to his wrongdoings, Daniel replied, "Confessing and getting caught are two different things. You want to know what happens when you cover ur sin? Maybe you should go read ur bible instead of beating people over the head with it."
He even said he offered to move Anna out of the situation. "I have told her I would pay for her to move out here w me and pay for her kidz," he said, hoping that would be a wake-up call for Josh. Sadly, she never took him up on the offer.
All members of the Duggar family who have publicly commented since Josh's conviction have asked for prayers for Anna and the kids. What role Anna and members of her family will play in getting her kids help for this experience and anything else they may have endured remains to be seen.
The final fallout for the Duggar family also remains to be seen. "The family is rallying, but some of the kids can't forgive their brother Josh for what he did," a source told In Touch Weekly.
"They're horrified that he didn't get help sooner."
Of the most striking reactions to the verdict, the ones coming from Josh's sisters, who have also been his victims, are ringing a chord with former fans of the family. Jill Dillard released a lengthy statement on her website, alongside husband Derick.
"Today was difficult for our family. Our hearts go out to the victims of child abuse or any kind of exploitation. We are thankful for the hard work of law enforcement, including investigators, forensic analysts, prosecutors, and all others involved who save kids and hold accountable those responsible for their abuse," they wrote.
"Josh's actions have rippled far beyond the epicenter of the offense itself. Children have scars, but his family is also suffering the fallout of his actions," they later concluded.
"Our hearts are sensitive to the pains Josh's wife, Anna, and their seven children have already endured and will continue to process in the future. This trial has felt more like a funeral than anything else. Josh's family has a long road ahead. We stand with them, we are praying for them, and we will seek to support them however we can during this dark time."
Jessa Seewald released her statement on Instagram, alongside husband Ben Seewald.
"From the moment we learned of this case against Josh we have prayed that God would cause the truth to be made known, no matter what is was, and that the facts would be followed wherever they led," they wrote.
"We are grieved beyond words over the children exploited and abused in child sexual abuse material, and we are thankful for our justice system in its punishment of such evils.
"Our hearts break for Josh's family, and we ask your continued prayers for them and the unfathomable grief and pain they are suffering."
Both their statements touch on the idea of the conviction as a death, and in many ways it is. It's the death of the Duggar family as we once knew it, and it seems for some members of the family, it's the end of Josh's involvement in their lives.
